Bike Hire | Student Tips & Advice

If you’re studying for more than a few weeks at the school and would like a bike to ride around the city, it might be cheaper for you to buy one.

There are lots of bike shops in Portsmouth where you can rent or buy a new or second-hand bike.

Important information:

It is illegal to ride a bike at night without lights so you if you want to use your bike in the dark, you must have lights. A lock is essential if you don’t want your bike to be stolen. A helmet is recommended for general safety. You can buy helmets from £20, locks from £10 (D-locks are a little more expensive but the best for security) and lights from £12.

Below are details for 2 bike shops that are located near to LSI.

Southsea Cycles
Portsmouth Cycle Exchange

Both of the shops recommended below sell helmets, locks and lights.

Southsea Cycles
You can buy or hire a bike from Southsea Cycles on Albert Road.
- Cost to buy
  
  Here you can buy a second-hand bike from £50. They are fully serviced. They will also buy back your bike if it is still in a good condition.
- Cost to hire
  
  - £15 a day (one day is 24 hours - if you rent a bike at 2pm on Tuesday, you must return it by 2pm on Wednesday)
  
  - If you rent a bike for 7 days or more, you will get a discount of 10%
  
  - You have to pay £100 deposit but you will get this back when you return the bike (as long as it is not damaged)
- Is insurance included in the hire cost?
  
  No they do not provide insurance. LSI recommends that all students take out insurance before coming to the UK. See our Insurance information for more advice.
- What do I get for my money when I hire?
  
  - a bike
  - a helmet
  - a lock
- What do I need to hire a bike?
  
  -a driving licence or a passport as proof of identity
  
  - a debit or credit card to pay for the bike
- What happens if the bike is stolen or badly damaged when I’m renting it?
  
  Each bike costs £300, so if someone steals it while you are renting, you will need to pay the full £300.
Portsmouth Cycle Exchange
Cycle Exchange
- Cost to buy
  
  Here you can buy a second-hand bike from £69. They are fully serviced and have a year’s guarantee.
- Cost to rent
  
  When bikes are available, the cost of renting is £10 a day. Insurance is not included.

Buying or Hiring a bike in Portsmouth